Did you know that we share a whopping 90% of our homogeneous genetic material with…cats? That’s actually more than man’s other best friend! And in the Season 2 finale for 6 Degrees of Cats - the world’s #1 (and only) cat-themed culture, history and science podcast - we make the case to promote our pets - especially our cats - as full-time family, full stop. Join us in conversation with a family sciences professor, a family therapist and a kids’ podcast host as we dive deep into what “family” is, and isn’t - and why. By the end of this episode, you’ll notice and appreciate the strength and length of your own family ties, including those with your cat! Tune in and share with your family, near and far!

Special thanks to Bjorn and Trip at the National Council on Family Relations and Dr. Stephanie Coontz. 

The producers also thank Dr. Regina Morantz-Sanchez, professor emeritus at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

This episode is dedicated to the memories of William O. and Stephanie M.

Support the podcast, sign up for The Captain’s Log, the companion podcast newsletter and learn about way$ to help keep this ship afloat for our next season here: linktr.ee/6degreesofcats.

Referenced episodes:

• Cats Are the Consummate Domesticate: Origins and Evolution of Our Feline Friends
• 5 Ways to Say ”I Love Mew”: Using the 5 Love Languages…With Your Cat?
• The Purr-fect Life: Cats, Kantian Ethics and Karma!

About the experts:

• Katie Bozek, Ph.D., L.M.F.T. is the executive director of the Korean Adoptee Adoptive Family Network (KAAN) and the owner and operator of Transitions Therapy, PLLC, her independent private marriage and family therapy practice. She serves on the boards of the West Michigan Asian American Association (WMAAA) and the Michigan Board of Counseling. Follow KAAN @wearekaan on Facebook, Instagram and X.
• Carol Johnston, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!) whose work has explored different ways to measure and operationalize family structure patterns over the life course to better capture a holistic picture of family dynamics. She is also the cat parent to Ash and Arlo, and can be followed at @carolanna12 (Instagram) or @carolannacoffee (X).
• Melissa “Melly” Victor is the founder of 2-time Black Podcast Award nominee Stoopkid Stories, a storybook podcast featuring 7 young Black characters which has been featured on the NY Times’ "A Big List of Podcasts for Bigger Kids", in Podcast Magazine, and by Bello Collective. She is also a musical theatre actress, most recently seen as a member of the touring ensemble for Little Shop of Horrors. She can be followed @stoopkidstories on Facebook, Instagram and X or @melly_music on Instagram.

Producer, writer, editor, sound designer, host, basically everything*

• Amanda B. (Instagram @catsuitband)

* with co-executive producers Binky & Snuggles

Animal voices include:

• Binky & Snuggles _^..^_

Music

• Captain Kitty: all music supervision, mixes and arrangements unless otherwise noted
• Leathered: "Look Alive", “Break it Down” and “Nothing But Love” © 2022
• Samples licensed via Loopcloud
• Additional sound effects from Pixabay.com

Logo design:

• Edward Anthony © 2024 (Instagram: @mtotallywired)

Research used:

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• Brief history of adoption in the United States: Adoption network. Adoption Network |. (2022, September 22). https://adoptionnetwork.com/history-of-adoption/ 
• Cats Protection. (n.d.). Pregnant cats, birth and care of young kittens. Cats.org. https://www.cats.org.uk/media/1029/eg18_pregnant_cats-_birth_and_care_of_young_kittens.pdf 
• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2020, October 30). What is epigenetics? the answer to the nature vs. Nurture Debate. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/what-is-epigenetics-and-how-does-it-relate-to-child-development/ 
• Claggett, S. R. (2023, July). Native American settlement of North Carolina. NCpedia. https://www.ncpedia.org/history/early/native-settlement 
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• Laybourn, S. M. (2024). Out of place the lives of Korean adoptee immigrants. New York University Press. 
• Lussenhop, J., Philip, A., & Eagle, J. G. (2023, June 15). Native American families broken up despite federal law meant to keep them together. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/native-american-parental-rights-termination-icwa-scotus 
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• Park, S., Hongu, N., & Daily, J. W. (2016, August 12). Native American Foods: History, culture, and influence on modern diets. Journal of Ethnic Foods. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352618116300750#:~:text=It%20is%20important%20to%20keep,plants%20and%20animals%20for%20food. 
• Park, Y. S. (2019, September). Park on mckee, “disrupting kinship: Transnational politics of Korean adoption in the United States.” H-Net network on Diplomatic History and International Affairs. https://networks.h-net.org/node/28443/reviews/4715102/park-mckee-disrupting-kinship-transnational-politics-korean-adoption 
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